‘You have taught us many things, Fidelma of Cashel,’ he observed quietly.
‘Some that you may profit by, I hope?’
‘The meaning of Christian love and forgiveness, perhaps?’ Eadulf intervened brightly. ‘That would be a good lesson to have learnt.’
Colla roared with mirth so heartily and unexpectedly that Eadulf felt offended.
‘No, no, Saxon! That is the last thing that I would have learnt here. Is not Mael Dúin of Ailech a Christian? Were not his warriors who conducted that terrible massacre of the hostages Christian? Were not Brother Solin and the man who sent him, Ultan of Armagh, Christians? Ha! Christian love is the last thing that has been demonstrated here.’
Colla resumed a more serious expression.
‘No, what I have learnt here is something about perseverance in the face of adversity.’
Taking his wife by the arm, he made for the door of the council chamber. There he paused and glanced back.
‘Tell your brother at Cashel, and tell the bishop of Imleach, that Gleann Geis is not yet ready to accept a closer relationship with the new Faith. We have seen too much of Christian concerns for our welfare.’
He and Orla were gone abruptly through the door.
‘Ingratitude!’ muttered Eadulf, offended. ‘How can you take such insults from these pagans?’
Fidelma was smiling, not in the least perturbed.
‘Hardly insults, Eadulf. A man must speak as he finds. He is right. The Christianity of Mael Dúin, Brother Solin and, if he is truly part of this terrible plot, the Christianity of Ultan of Armagh, leaves one yearning for the old morality of the beliefs of our people.’
Eadulf was scandalised. He did not have time to reprimand her before Murgal approached her also with a grave expression on his face.
‘We have, indeed, much to thank you for, Fidelma of Cashel. I have seen the true worth of a moral advocate of the laws of the five kingdoms. It is something to aspire to.’
‘You do not have to aspire, Murgal, for you have achieved it. You are a brave and honest Brehon. We may be religions apart but morality often transcends differences in Faith.’
‘It is heartening that you recognise that.’
Fidelma bowed her head.
‘It is something one is taught when one studies the ancient law. Intolerance is made up of the shells of lies. No natural disaster has cost as many human lives as man’s intolerance towards the beliefs of his fellow men.’
‘Truly said. Will you stay in Gleann Geis a while as our guests, or, like Ibor of Muirthemne, will you leave for Cashel immediately?’
Fidelma glanced through the window at the sky.
‘We still have the best part of a day before us. There is no other reason to stay in Gleann Geis. Maybe one day I might be able to return here and discuss how Christianity might truly be brought here. But not now. We will start our journey home immediately. First to Imleach, to consult with Bishop Ségdae, and then on to Cashel. The sooner Muman is fully aware about the plot that was devised here, the sooner we can be on our guard against Ailech and any similar plots against the peace of this kingdom.’
Two men were carrying the body of Laisre out of the council chamber.
Fidelma observed them quietly and then said rhetorically: ‘Whatshall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?’
Murgal looked impressed.
‘Now that is a wise sentiment. Is it a quotation from one of the teachings of the Brehon Morann of Tara? I do not know it.’
Eadulf sniffed sardonically.
‘No: that was from the Gospel of the Blessed Mark. Even we Christians have books of philosophy.’
